Why process improvement alone doesn’t improve anything

I’ve seen teams implement flawless process maps, hold workshops with sticky notes in every color, and celebrate leaner workflows with great enthusiasm - only to watch those improvements quietly fade away. The truth is, process improvement alone rarely sticks. It doesn’t transform behavior. It doesn’t inspire commitment. And it certainly doesn’t change results if the underlying dynamics stay the same. What I’ve learned is this: a good process means nothing unless people believe in why it matters, how it connects to the bigger picture, and what’s in it for them.